Library News: January 11th, 2024
This week, the library is featuring two new books—-one fiction and the other non-fiction. This is the New Year! Benjamin Franklin once said: "Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better man [or woman]." Oprah Winfrey weighed in on this time of year as well. She said: "Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."
Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay by Cyndie Spiegel.
Cyndie first began taking note of microjoys during the most difficult year of her life. She experienced back-to-back unprecedented and devastating losses. Microjoys are a practice of discerning hope and joy in each and every moment of our lives. They are accessible to all of us, at all times, if we can develop the ability to look for them. They are the hidden wisdom, subtle treasures, and ordinary delights that surround us. Examples include: a polka-dot glass on a thrift store shelf, a cat that you didn't know you needed to adopt, a dear friend's kind message at just the right time, the neighborhood spice shop, a beloved family tradition, the simple quietude of being in love, or a chai tea recipe. These small moments of hope helped Cyndie move through each day with a semblance of comfort and a bit of joy. Through beautifully written narrative essays and prompts, Cyndie shares the microjoys that have kept her going through difficult times and shows us how we can learn to see these in our own lives. Microjoys do not change the truth of loss or make grief any more convenient, but they do allow us to touch joy however briefly, one step at a time.
Familia: A Novel by Lauren E. Rico. What if your most basic beliefs about your life were suddenly revealed to be a lie? Gabby DiMarco is a fact checker for a popular magazine and only believes in absolute, verifiable truths. She took a genealogy test as part of the research for an article. This yielded a baffling result—Gabby has a sister, one who has been desperately trying to find her. Isabella Ruiz can picture the face of her baby sister, Marianna, who disappeared from the streets of San Juan twenty-five years earlier. Isabella is an artist who is happily married and lives in Puerto Rico. Despite her settled and comfortable life, Isabella has continuously longed to find her missing sister. Now her genealogy test has found a match-Gabby-and Gabby has agreed to come to Puerto Rico. Gabby, however, is defensive and cautious and offers no happy reunion. She insists that there has been some sort of mistake. The two women set out to find the truth, and in the process, risk everything they have known for an uncertain future. They will find that the past harbors yet more surprises for them both.
Upcoming Events:
Yoga with Dave Sivley, Mondays, January 15-March 4th at 6:30 PM. Bring a yoga mat, water, towel & $5 payable to Dave per session.
Great Start Family Coalition Meet & Greet, Tuesday, January 23rd 10:15-11:15 AM. Learn about the Family Coalition and ways to get involved to help support families with young children in Cass County. Also, learn about additional events that Great Start offers for young children! Coffee, tea & pastries will be provided.
College Readiness 2.0, Tuesday, January 23rd at 6 PM. An informational session for high school students and their parents/guardians covering post high school opportunities, paying for college, and academic success strategies. Student-only workshops to further explore the many options and strategies will follow on Mondays, February 5-26th. Sessions will be led by Gloria Jurado-Long, who was an academic mentor for the Van Buren Middle College Program for over 10 years.
Support Group for Parents of Challenging Kids, Tuesday, February 13th at 9:00 AM, the 2nd Tuesday of each month. If you are feeling overwhelmed, join others to gain valuable support coping strategies and information about community resources.
Preschool Story Hour, Wednesdays 10:15 AM. Stories, music, movement & crafts for ages 0-5 and their parents/caregivers.
Game Night AND Movies & Popcorn, January 31st, the last Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM. We'll have fresh popcorn and a movie during game night! All ages are welcome!
First Thursday Book Club 2023, February 1st, 2024, 12 NOON-1 PM. Join others to chat about what you have been reading or to get suggestions from others.
Lego at the Library, Fridays 3:00-4:30 PM. Build & create with our Lego & Duplo collections! All ages are welcome (but parents are responsible for preventing choking risks for small children)! Donations of gently-used Legos will be greatly appreciated!
Tech Time @ the Library, January 13, and 20th from 10 AM to 1 PM. Are you struggling with your phone? Do you have trouble navigating the internet? Do you need help with mel.org, the Libby App or the Marcellus Library Catalog? Drop in the library to ask Justin your IT related questions and learn to navigate your device or our computers!